Podcast Summary: Vicki Peterson – From the Bangles to New Journeys
Podcast: Tony Mantor’s Almost Live… Nashville
Host: Tony Mantor
Guest: Vicki Peterson (Co-founder and lead guitarist, The Bangles)
Release Date: January 6, 2026
Episode Overview
This episode features an in-depth conversation between veteran music producer Tony Mantor and Vicki Peterson, co-founder and lead guitarist of the legendary all-female band The Bangles. Peterson shares her musical evolution from the band's iconic pop-rock hits—such as “Manic Monday” and “Eternal Flame”—to her more recent explorations in Americana and classic country alongside her husband, John Cowsill. The discussion offers remarkable insights into career longevity, collaboration, creative reinvention, and the enduring power of music to connect and support others.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Vicki Peterson’s Musical Beginnings and the Rise of The Bangles
- Early Motivation:
- Vicki describes a “thread of continuity” from playing music with her sister and friends in high school, leading seamlessly to her college years, then meeting Susannah Hoffs and forming The Bangles.
“There’s sort of a thread of continuity from my desires to make music in high school and play with my friends and my sister…that just continued into my college years…then we met Susannah Hoffs.”—Vicki Peterson [02:08]
- Vicki describes a “thread of continuity” from playing music with her sister and friends in high school, leading seamlessly to her college years, then meeting Susannah Hoffs and forming The Bangles.
- The ‘Right Way’ to Break In:
- The Bangles didn’t focus on demos or chasing labels. Instead, they played clubs with a wide array of acts, building chops and camaraderie.
“We weren’t making demos and trying to get a record deal. We were playing out in the clubs and playing…with everyone from, you know, Black Flag to Elvis impersonators.” —Vicki Peterson [03:00]
- The Bangles didn’t focus on demos or chasing labels. Instead, they played clubs with a wide array of acts, building chops and camaraderie.
2. Career Evolution & Embracing Change
- Collaboration as a Constant:
- Peterson has always thrived in bands and collaborations. Currently, she works as a duo with her husband, occasionally as a trio, and also with the group Action Skulls.
“I’m a serial band member…the difference now is I’m not ‘married’ to a band. I’m more liberated.” —Vicki Peterson [03:56]
- Peterson has always thrived in bands and collaborations. Currently, she works as a duo with her husband, occasionally as a trio, and also with the group Action Skulls.
- Stylistic Growth & Country Influences:
- Recent work has seen Vicki exploring classic country, drawing from influences like Roy Orbison and the Everly Brothers. Their album Long After the Fire includes half a dozen songs written by her brother-in-law, Bill Cowsill.
“Obvious stylistic evolution for me has been my exploration into classic country recently…playing that live is…something different for me.” —Vicki Peterson [05:29]
- Recent work has seen Vicki exploring classic country, drawing from influences like Roy Orbison and the Everly Brothers. Their album Long After the Fire includes half a dozen songs written by her brother-in-law, Bill Cowsill.
3. Collaboration vs. Solo Work
- Evolving as a Collaborator:
- Vicki admits she was initially hesitant about co-writing, preferring to work solo. Over time, she’s grown to relish collaboration, crediting it with sparking new creative growth.
“I was not a good collaborator in my early songwriting days…I had to learn how to co-write, actually, which is a definite skill set. I now enjoy it very much.”—Vicki Peterson [05:29]
- Vicki admits she was initially hesitant about co-writing, preferring to work solo. Over time, she’s grown to relish collaboration, crediting it with sparking new creative growth.
- Authenticity in Versatility:
- Being open to musical partnerships has ultimately reinforced her own voice amid genre-crossing ventures.
4. Fan and Audience Reactions
- Welcoming Change:
- Despite expecting confusion over her shifting styles, Peterson has found her audience to be “extremely welcoming”—a fact she attributes to both the quality of the music and the fans’ openness.
“You would think they’d be confused and [they’ve been] very welcoming, like, extremely welcoming.”—Vicki Peterson [07:04]
- Despite expecting confusion over her shifting styles, Peterson has found her audience to be “extremely welcoming”—a fact she attributes to both the quality of the music and the fans’ openness.
5. Career Reflections and Pride
- Bangles’ Perseverance:
- Peterson expresses pride in The Bangles’ perseverance and evolution, as well as her own tenacity and ability to approach her legacy with fresh empathy.
“I’m very proud of the work that The Bangles did…the band that we became in our perseverance…keeping the band together, I’m pretty proud of that.”—Vicki Peterson [07:42]
- Peterson expresses pride in The Bangles’ perseverance and evolution, as well as her own tenacity and ability to approach her legacy with fresh empathy.
- Favorite Songs:
- Her favorite song is typically “the one you just wrote,” reflecting her continuous creative drive.
6. Navigating Group Dynamics
- Relationship Maintenance:
- Sustaining collaborative relationships over decades is its own challenge—one that involves frequent diplomacy.
“I often find myself in the role of the diplomat…or I’m Switzerland.” —Vicki Peterson [08:50]
- Sustaining collaborative relationships over decades is its own challenge—one that involves frequent diplomacy.
7. Giving Back: The Joey’s Song Charity Shows
- Getting Involved:
- Peterson first joined the Joey’s Song benefit concerts through friends, now participating for her third year, enjoying the “musical chaos” and the community’s purpose-driven energy.
“You are just overwhelmed with love, with purpose, with direction, with musical chaos in the most beautiful sense…” —Vicki Peterson [09:28]
- Peterson first joined the Joey’s Song benefit concerts through friends, now participating for her third year, enjoying the “musical chaos” and the community’s purpose-driven energy.
- Highlights:
- Organizing a Bangles “supergroup” at one past event was especially memorable.
“I kind of took the reins because we did…a Bangles set. I put together, like, a super group…with the most amazing female musicians on stage.” —Vicki Peterson [10:53]
- Organizing a Bangles “supergroup” at one past event was especially memorable.
- Charity & Legacy:
- Peterson reflects that sharing hope and love through music, especially for charity, “is one of the biggest gifts.”
“Anytime you can use your platform to help people, it’s a win win.”—Tony Mantor [20:44]
- Peterson reflects that sharing hope and love through music, especially for charity, “is one of the biggest gifts.”
8. Songwriting & Nostalgia
- Song “Return Post” & Touring in the ‘80s:
- For the upcoming acoustic “storyteller” charity night, Peterson considers playing “Return Post,” a Bangles song about trying to communicate with loved ones while on tour in the era before cell phones.
“A song like Return Post is funny…because it was written on the road…about writing, actually writing paper and pen letters…these are all words that are very, very old, old, old…” —Vicki Peterson [13:14]
- For the upcoming acoustic “storyteller” charity night, Peterson considers playing “Return Post,” a Bangles song about trying to communicate with loved ones while on tour in the era before cell phones.
- Catalog Rediscovery:
- Revisiting old songs is often like meeting forgotten children; she laughs about not remembering keys or lyrics and marvels at the sonic evolution from the ‘80s to today.
9. Current Projects & Future Plans
- Touring:
- After Joey’s Song, she and John Cowsill are hitting New York, followed by an extensive, flexible tour as a duo/trio, covering the Midwest, Canada, and the South.
“Right now we are booking ‘26 and it’s getting pretty robust.” —Vicki Peterson [18:07]
- After Joey’s Song, she and John Cowsill are hitting New York, followed by an extensive, flexible tour as a duo/trio, covering the Midwest, Canada, and the South.
- Studio Work:
- The couple are also revamping their home studio in California and planning new releases, including Christmas records and further collaborations.
“We’re redesigning and rebuilding our studio here at the house. That’s going to be a big project.” —Vicki Peterson [19:19]
- The couple are also revamping their home studio in California and planning new releases, including Christmas records and further collaborations.
- She Rocks Award & NAMM:
- Vicki will co-host the She Rocks Awards at NAMM, honoring women in music.
10. Generational Fanbase
- Multi-generational Appeal:
- Peterson notes the increasingly multi-generational nature of her audience: parents who were fans in the ‘80s now bring their children and grandchildren to shows.
“Absolutely. That’s been happening quite a bit. And I love that.” —Vicki Peterson [21:49]
- Peterson notes the increasingly multi-generational nature of her audience: parents who were fans in the ‘80s now bring their children and grandchildren to shows.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
“We weren’t making demos and trying to get a record deal. We were playing out in the clubs…just doing it, you know, and had a really good time. And then…we luckily did fall in with the right A&R team…”
— Vicki Peterson [03:00]
“I was not a good collaborator in my early songwriting days. I had to learn how to co-write, actually, which is a definite skill set. I now enjoy it very much.”
— Vicki Peterson [05:29]
“Anytime you can use your platform to help people, it’s a win win.”
— Tony Mantor [20:44]
“My favorite song is usually the one you just wrote.”
— Vicki Peterson [08:19]
“A song like ‘Return Post’ is funny…about writing actual letters…which one then puts stamps on and hands to the reception at the hotel…all words that are very, very old, old, old…”
— Vicki Peterson [13:14]
Timestamps for Key Segments
- Beginnings & The Bangles’ Early Days: [02:08] – [03:22]
- Collaboration and Musical Evolution: [03:56] – [06:43]
- Working with Fans & Changing Reception: [07:04]
- Reflections & Diplomacy in Bands: [07:42] – [09:00]
- Joey’s Song Charity Involvement: [09:28] – [11:37]
- Acoustic Storytelling and “Return Post”: [12:24] – [14:50]
- Rediscovering Old Songs: [15:48] – [16:39]
- Looking Ahead — Touring & Releases: [17:25] – [19:25]
- Generational Fans: [21:49]
Conclusion
Vicki Peterson’s journey, from groundbreaking Bangles success to heartfelt Americana explorations, is a testament to musical adaptability, creative openness, and the enduring spirit of collaboration. The episode glimpses the joys, challenges, and fresh starts that comprise a rich multi-decade career—not only in the spotlight but also backstage and in service of meaningful causes. Peterson’s warmth, humor, and candor make this a must-listen for fans of pop culture, aspiring musicians, and anyone fascinated by the process of reinvention and collaboration in music.